Foot placement guide for golfers



Sept. 26, 1967 R. T. SCHENNUM 1 3,343,263

v FOOT PLACEMENT GUIDE FOR GOLFERS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Sept. 13, 1965 une oF Furan 5 Inventor: Russell T. Sche'nnum ,B/@Mug Sept. 26, 1967 R. T. scHENNUM v f 3,343,268

r FOOT PLACEMENT GUIDE FOR GOLFERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l5, 1965 MBMTBN |13.. U

Inventor: Russell T. Schennum E5, Da/Jv, @MaJ/MAMMA .H-t-tornee United States Patent Office 3,343,268 FOOT PLACEMENT GUIDE FOR GOLFERS Russell T. Schennum, 5105 N. Keating, Chicago, Ill. 60630 Filed Sept. 13, 1965, Ser. No. 486,625 Claims. (Cl. 33-174) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Golfers foot positioning guide which is telescopic to adjust for foot spacing, has two guides for angularly adjusting the feet and has a pointer for desired path of the ball. Appropriate indicia is present to make the adjustments in View of club chosen and the desired flight of the ball.

The present invention relates to an apparatus to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to a golf ball which is to be hit along a chosen line of flight by a selected golf club, and the following ,disclosure thereof is offered for public dissemination upon the grant of a patent therefor.

Expert golfers and golf teachers agree that a proper stance is an important factor in the effective use of golf clubs in hitting-a golf ball. While there may be some difference of opinion as to what constitutes the most universally best stance, there is a general consensus of opinion as to certain factors that are important requisites of a stance for the majority of golfers. Even to the extent that a difference of opinion exists, all will agree with the proposition that a beginner or novice golfer must be taught a particular stance for each of the clubs to be employed. To the extent that the term correct stance for a particular club is employed herein, it is intended to refer to a stance which embodies, to a substantial degree, factors generally recognized as being effective when employed in playing the game of golf, and not to necessarily suggest that a person would be ineffective in playing the game were he to standardize upon some other stance for the particular club.

In connection with each stroke before reaching the green, the golfer will first determine the direction in which he wishes to move the ball (herein referred to as the line of flight) and the particular club to be employed which depends upon the distance which the ball is to be moved, as well as other factors. Having made these determinations, he then assumes the correct stance in the light of those decisions; that is, he places his feet in predetermined positions with respect to the ball and the line of flight. Thus, for example, in using the woods the vtoes of the shoes are approximately on a line parallel to the line of flight and relatively far apart as compared to the placement when using the short irons (e.g., 8, 9 and wedge) wherein a comparatively open stance is assumed with the feet relatively closer together. Another illustration of the variation in the correct stance between the use of various clubs is that when using the driver or #l wood, the ball is about directly in front of the left heel; while with the #5 iron, the ball is directly in front of a point approximately midway between the golfers two heels. The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus which will quickly show a golfer a correct placement of his feet in accordance with the position of the ball, the selected line of flight and the chosen club.

Further objects and advantages include: the use of the apparatus of my invention is practically self-explanatory from the apparatus itself, and little, if any, is required in the way of instruction for the golfer to ascertain how it is employed; embodiments of the invention can be made sufficiently sturdy to withstand any abuse normally in- 3,343,268 Patented Sept. 26, 1967 curred in their use and can be made quite inexpensively; and embodiments can be made sufficiently compact so that they can be easily carried in the pocket of a golf bag or even in the hip pocket of the golfer.

Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the -following description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention as it appears completely folded;

FIGURE 2 is an end elevation as viewed at line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a section as viewed at line 3 3 of FIG- URE l;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View of a golfer utilizing an embodiment of the invention in ascertaining the correct stance when hitting a golf ball with a #4 wood;

FIGURE .5 is a plan View of an embodiment of the invention and the stance assumed when hitting a chip shot with a wedge and further illustrating, in a general way, variations in the stance assumed when hitting the ball with other clubs; and

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG- URE 1 extended.

Although the following disclosure offered for public dissemination is detailed to ensure adequacy and aid understanding, this is not intended to prejudice that purpose of a patent which is to cover each new inventive concept therein no matter how others may later disguise it by variations in form or additions or further improvements. The claims at the end hereof are intended as the chief aid toward this purpose; as it is these that meet the requirement of pointing out the parts, improvements, or combinations in which the inventive concepts are found.

The illustrated embodiment of my invention comprises a body having a main body portion generally 10 and a small body portion generally 11. The main body portion 10 defines a way 12 in which is received al slide or traveler 13 secured to and forming a part of body portion 11. Main body portion 10 also defines a slot 14 in which is movably received pin 15. Pin 15 is rotatable in slot 14 and movable longitudinally with respect thereto. To pin 15 is secured an arm 16 having a liner or flight guide 17 at the opposite end thereof. Line of flight guide 17 has a point 17a to indicate the direction of ball movement. Arm 16 comprises an outer shell 16a forming one end thereof and an inner portion 16b forming the other end thereof and slideably received within the shell. The two are fixed in position with respect to each other by a setscrew 18. A pointer 19 also is secured to pin 15.

A pin 22 is pivotally mounted in small body portion 11. A pointer 23 is secured to one end of pin 22, and a lright foot guide 24 is secured to the other end. At the opposite corner of the mainV body portion 10 a pin 25 is pivotally mounted. Pin 25 has a pointer 26 secured to one end thereof and a left foot guide 27 secured to the other end thereof.

Associated with pointer 19 isa plurality of indicia 30 comprising guide lines and correlated letters and numbers referring to various golf clubs. Pointer 19 has a guide line 19a to facilitate the alignment of the pointer with the guide line of indicia :S0-corresponding to the club'that has been selected. Similarly, pointer 23 has a guide line 23a and associated therewith is indicia 31 on small body portion 11. On the main body portion 10 is indicia 32 associated with pointer 26. Pointer 26 has a line of alignment 26a. Again, indicia 31 and 32 consist of lines of alignment together with appropriate words and numbers to indicate the clubs for which each line of alignment is appropriate.

On slide 13 (and forming a part thereof) is an adjusting plate 33 held in place by screw 34.Screw 34 extends through slot 33a in plate 33 and is threaded into slide 13. On plate 33 is a series of indicia 35. End 36 of main body portion 10 forms a guide line for the setting and reading of the indicia 35 when using particular clubs. Slide 33 has a pointer 37 with which indicia 38 on slide- 13 is related. On arm portion 16b is indicia 39 which is read at end 40 of arm portion 16a.

In the illustrated embodiment the main body portion 10 is formed by a bottom plate 45 having ridges 46 thereon. Ridges 46 are aflixed to a top plate 47 as by means of an adhesive or cement. Thus, the ridges not only serve as the sides of way 12, but also as spacers between the top and bottom plates. Slot 14 is in the top plate with arm 16 and guide 17 in the plane of ridges 46. Thus, there is a pocket 48 between the top and bottom plates and about two sides of the ridges 46 into which pocket the arm 16 and guide 17 can be folded as illustrated in FIGURE 1. At the opposite side there is a pocket 49 between the top and bottom plates and about a side of ridge 46 into which pocket the guides 24 and 27 can be folded.

Referring to FIGURE 5, assume that the golf ball 50 is resting on the ground or other support as illustrated and it is desired to hit the ball in the direction indicated by the arrowhead on line of flights 54. Assuming that the golfer intended to hit a chip shot with a wedge, arm 16 would be moved to a position such that line 19a of pointer 19 was aligned with the line W (wedge) of indicia 30. Slide 13 would be set so that the line W of indicia 35 was aligned with end 36 of body portion 10. Right foot guide 24 would be turned so that line 23a of pointer 23 was aligned with the W line of indicia 31. Left foot guide 27 would be turned so that guide line 26a of pointer 26 would be aligned with line W of indicia 32.

The apparatus would then be placed on `the ground with arm 16 pointed at the ball and guide 17 parallel to the line of flight 54. End 17a of guide 17 would be in the direction in which the ball was to travel. The two guides 24 and 27 now indicate to the golfer the position at which he should place his right and left feet, 51 and 52 respectively. The toes of his shoes should be approximately touching the imaginary line defined by side 53 extended. The dotted foot positions in FIGURE illustrate approximately (although not exactly) the foot positions that would be indicated by the apparatus for the position of ball 50 had the golfer chosen a #6 iron or a #3 wood and the various settings made accordingly. FIGURE 6 in the main illustrates the settings of guides 17, 24 and 27 for a #9 iron shot. To complete the proper adjustment of the apparatus in FIGURE 6 for a #9 iron shot, the small body portion 11 should be moved up approximately to the large body portion so that end 36 is aligned with line W of indicia 35.

FIGURE 4 illustrates the apparatus being used by a golfer about to strike the ball 50` with a #4 wood. In this event the guides 24 and 27 are turned so that the pointers 23 and 26 are aligned with the woods line of indicia 31 and 32. Line 19a of pointer 19 is aligned with the 4W line of indicia 30. The apparatus has been placed on the ground so that arm 16 points at the ball and guide 17 indicates the direction in which the ball is to be struck. Having so placed the apparatus on the ground, the two guides 24 and 27 show the golfer the proper positioning of his feet with respect to the position of the ball and the intended line of flight 54.

For golfers of different heights plate 33 of slide 13 is moved so that pointer 37 is aligned with the one of indicia 38 corresponding to the golfers height. Thus, for the taller golfer the plate 33 is moved to the left on slide 13 from the position at which it is positioned for the shorter golfer. This will result in a greater spread of the golfers feet for the taller golfer than for the shorter golfer. Similarly, the length of arm 16 is adjusted to be longer for the taller golfer than for the shorter golfer. These adjustments can be omitted if desired, with the golfer making empirical minor modifications from the positions indicated by the apparatus. For example, normally the apparatus will be placed on the ground so that the outer end of arm 16 is about two inches from the ball 50. Thus, the apparatus can be placed on the ground, the position of the feet recorded and the ball struck without removing the apparatus before striking the ball. With a taller golfer the distance between the outer end of arm 16 and ball 50 may be increased slightly over that employed for the shorter golfer.

In the illustrated embodiment it will be noted that indicia 31 and 32 do not have lines corresponding to all clubs employed by the golfer. To do lso would require an excessive bunching of the lines. The adjustment is so small between the lines shown that the golfer can readily interpolate the proper position of the two pointers.

It will be apparent that the various pointers may not be of the form shown, but may take any other form of indexing indicators.

The various moving parts preferably fit snugly enough to retain the positions to which they are moved until intentionally moved again. In some or all instances spring detents or other releasable locking means may be provided. Some users will prefer frictional holding to permit slight departures from the indicia.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for use with a golf ball to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to said ball in hitting the lball along a chosen line of Hight with particular clubs, said apparatus including: a body having two mounting portions connected for movement lineally toward and away from each other, a first foot guide pivotally connected to one portion, a second foot guide pivotally connected to the other portion, said body having indicia to indicate the correct separation between the pivotal connections for Iparticular clubs, said body having indicia to indicate the pivotal position of the two guides with respect to said body for particular clubs, and a line of flight guide movable pivotally with respect to said body and lineally with respect to said two portions of the body, said body including indicia to indicate the correct position of said body with respect to the line of flight guide for particular clubs, whereby after a particular club and line of flight are chosen, said guides are positioned with respect to the body, and said `body is positioned with respect to said ball and line of flight to indicate to the golfer the correct positioning of his feet for the chosen factors.

2. An apparatus for use with a golf :ball to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to said ball in hitting the ball along a chosen line of flight with particular clubs, said apparatus including: a body having two mounting portions connected for movement lineally toward and away from each other, a first foot guide pivotally connected to one portion, a second foot guide pivotally connected to the other portion, said body having indicia to indicate the correct separation -between the pivotal connections for particular clubs, said body having indicia to indicate the pivotal position of the two guides with respect to said body for particular clubs, said body having a slot; a pivot pin in said slot and movable pivotally and lineally therein, an arm secured to said pin, and a pointer forming a line of flight guide affixed to the arm at a distance fr om the pin; whereby after a particular club and line of fllght are chosen, said guides are positioned with respect to the body, and said -body is positioned with respect to said ball and line of flight to indicate to the golfer the correct positioning of his feet for the chosen factors.

3. An apparatus for use with a golf ball to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to said ball in hitting the ball along a chosen line of flight with particular clubs, said apparatus including: a body havmg two mounting portions connected for movement lineally toward and away from each other, a first foot guide pivotally connected to one portion, a second yfoot guide pivotally connected to the other portion, said body having indicia to indicate the correct separation between the pivotal connections for particular clubs, said body having indicia to indicate the pivotal position of the two guides with respect to said body for particular clubs, said .body having a slot; a pivot pin in said slot and movable pivotally and lineally therein, an arm secured to said pin, and a pointer forming a line of flight guide affixed to the arm at a distance from the pin; whereby after a particular club and line of Hight are chosen, said guides are positioned with respect to the body, and said body is positioned withrespect to said ball and line of Hight to indicate to the golfer the correct positioning of his feet for the chosen factors; wherein said slot is generally parallel to a line between the pivotal connections of the foot guides, and said arm includes means whereby the distance between the line of flight guide and the pivot pin may be varied.

4. An apparatus for use with a golf ball to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to said .ball in hitting the ball along a chosen line of flight with particular cl-ubs, said apparatus including: a body having two elongate mounting portions connected for movement lineally toward and away from each other, a first foot guide pivotally connected to one portion, a second foot guide pivotally connected to the other portion, said body having indicia to indicate the correct separation between the pivotal connections for particular clubs, said body having indicia to indicate the pivotal position of the two guides with respect to said body for particular clubs, and a device connected to the body to indicate the correct positioning of said body with respect to the ball and line of Hight, whereby after a particular club and line of Hight are chosen, said guides are positioned with respect to the body, and said body is positioned with respect to said ball and line of flight to indicate to the golfer the correct positioning of his feet for the chosen factors; one o-f said portions defining a way parallel to the length thereof, and the other of said portions having an elongated traveler mounted in said way to connect said portions for lineal movement with respect to each other; wherein said body has a slot generally parallel to said way, said device including an arm with a line of Hight guide at one end, and at the other end having a pivot pin and an indexing indicator, `said pin being received in said slot for pivotal and lineal movement therein, said body including indicia cooperating with said indicator to indicate the correct position of said body with respect to the arm for a particular club.

5. An apparatus for use with a golf ball resting on a support to indicate to a golfer a correct stance to assume with respect to said ball in hitting the ball along a chosen line `of Hight with particular clubs, said apparatus including: an elongated body having a slot extending generally parallel to the length thereof; a device for indicating the position of said body with respect to the ball and line of Hight with respect to particular clubs, and comprising an arm with a line of Hight guide at one end, and at the other end a pivot pin and an indexing indicator, said pin Ibeing received in said slot for pivotal and lineal movement therein; said body including indicia cooperating with said indicator to indicate the correct position of said lbody with respect to the line of Hight guide for a particular club; and means including left and right foot guides movably secure-d to said body, and indicia associated therewith to indicate the correct positioning of the feet with respect to said body when using particular clubs.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,652,251 9/1953 Molinar 273-187 2,790,642 4/1957 Rolfe 273-187 2,886,326 5/1959 Olds 273-187 LEONARD FORMAN, Primary Examiner.

P. I. DAMBROSIO, Examiner. 

1. AN APPARATUS FOR USE WITH A GOLF BALL TO INDICATE TO A GOLFER A CORRECT STANCE TO ASSUME WITH RESPECT TO SAID BALL IN HITTING THE BALL ALONG A CHOSEN LINE OF FLIGHT WITH PARTICULAR CLUBS, SAID APPARATUS INCLUDING: A BODY HAVING TWO MOUNTING PORTIONS CONNECTED FOR MOVEMENT LINEALLY TOWARD AND AWAY FROM EACH OTHER, A FIRST FOOT GUIDE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO ONE PORTION, A SECOND FOOT GUIDE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO THE OTHER PORTION, SAID BODY HAVING INDICIA TO INDICATE THE CORRECT SEPARATION BETWEEN THE PIVOTAL CONNECTIONS FOR PARTICULAR CLUBS, SAID BODY HAVING INDICIA TO INDICATE THE PIVOTAL POSITION OF THE TWO GUIDES WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY FOR PARTICULAR CLUBS, AND A LINE OF FLIGHT GUIDE MOVABLE PIVOTALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID BODY AND LINEALLY WITH RESPECT TO SAID TWO PORTIONS OF THE BODY, SAID BODY INCLUDING INDICIA TO INDICATE THE CORRECT POSITION OF SAID BODY WITH RESPECT TO THE LINE OF FLIGHT GUIDE FOR PARTICULAR CLUBS, WHEREBY AFTER A PARTICULAR CLUB AND LINE OF FLIGHT ARE CHOSEN, SAID GUIDES ARE POSITIONED WITH RESPECT 